Learn the fundamentals of ice, snow and mixed climbing with Rock & River Guide Chad Kennedy. This clinic is intended for participants who have limited experience with technical climbing in winter conditions. Participants will gain experience with use of an ice axe, cramponing on rock/ice/snow, proper use of a rope, and packing for a winter ascent.

Limited to 4 participants

Go Climb a Slide with Jeremy Haas – $175 - CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

Join Rock & River’s Jeremy Haas for a technical ascent of one of the many slides found in the High Peaks. Practice fundamental snow/ice climbing skills and rope techniques for safe and efficient travel over exposed alpine terrain. This clinic is suitable for participants who: have the fitness to winter hike for six hours; are proficient with the use of mountaineering axe/crampons; have experience with roped climbing, i.e. glacier travel and/or top-roping.

Join Matt and Matt as they teach you techniques for moving efficiently on frozen water (intermediate level). The two Matt’s are some of the best ice climbers in the northeast, but more importantly, excellent and enthusiastic teachers.

Learn the secrets and tricks to climbing steep ice, thin ice, and hard, brittle ice from the guy that’s become infamous for developing these types of routes. Ian Osteyee will show you how he makes it look easy and give you the pointers and tips necessary to improve your own game on this most demanding terrain.

Limited to 6 participants

Steep Ice for the Weak and Chickenhearted with Don Mellor – $145 – CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

This is a targeted course aimed at getting normal people up abnormally steep routes. It is aimed at people who know how to climb, but find themselves unable to lead sustained vertical ice. The theme is this: if someone told you not to do it, it probably works. This is not about powering your way up. It’s about slithering and groveling, engaging your knees, your elbows, and especially your brain. It’s not pretty, but we promise that you’ll be happily surprised. You already know about supposed “good technique,” and you are still getting pumped. This course will give you a very different perspective and a whole lot of subtle tricks.Hear what others are saying about Steep Ice for the Weak and Chickenhearted:

“I feel ten years younger. When I look in the mirror, I see the person I am supposed to be.”

Warning: Do not take this course if you take nitrates, often prescribed for chest pain, as this may cause a sudden, unsafe drop in blood pressure. Discuss your general health status with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough to engage in steep ice climbing. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomforts during climbing, or if you experience a sudden loss of vision or hearing, seek immediate medical help. In the rare event of an ice lead lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term injury. You owe it to yourself to take Don Mellor’s Steep Ice for the Weak and Chickenhearted. Call now.

Limited to 8 participants

Advanced Ice with Fabrizio Zangrilli – $145 -CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

Ice climb with Marmot and CAMP/Cassin athlete Fabrizio Zangrilli and learn special techniques required on steeper ice, thin ice, hollow ice and no ice. By end of day students should have refined techniques on difficult ice.

Limited to 8 participants

Snowshoe Mountaineering with Carl Heilman – $95 CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

After a brief introduction indoors in the morning – to get to know the group, pass out handouts, and answer some questions – we’ll head out in the snow to spend a full day climbing in the mountains, having more fun than you ever imagined you could have on a pair of snowshoes!

Throughout the day we’ll practice and put to use different snowshoeing techniques, and also cover topics about winter equipment, weather, and safety, so folks will get a good sound start in winter mountaineering.

Most of our time will be spent off the trail. I like to pick routes that emphasize the use of snowshoe crampons and snowshoeing techniques. While the most strenuous part of snowshoeing is the climbing of course, the most fun is coming back down – running, jumping, and glec-sading (glissading) down the snowy slopes. Come as a novice snowshoer, and go home an expert.

If you are an avid mountaineer or backcountry skier, having the skills to assess avalanche terrain and make the right decisions is a must. This course provides the approved curriculum of the American Avalanche Association and National Ski Patrol, for Introduction to Avalanche Safety and Rescue. It is scheduled for Saturday all day. If this class fills we will offer another one-day course on Sunday.

This course teaches you how the terrain, weather, and snowpack affect the stability of the slopes you’re going to ski, ride, and/or climb. The emphasis will be on recognizing the terrain and conditions for stability and travel techniques to identify safer routes. Other important aspects of traveling in the backcountry that will be discussed are the use of avalanche rescue equipment and companion rescue.

Climbers and skiers, if you want hands on training with avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes, you should sign up for a half day of rescue practice (Sun. or Mon., $45 fee). If you take Saturday’s course the additional fee is only $15. You can bring your own equipment, or there will be equipment available for you to use. We’ll spend the half day outdoors learning how to use the tools and practicing the basic skills for companion rescue.

People who complete this classroom session and Sunday or Monday’s field work would be able to obtain an L1 certification by attending the two weekend days of training (rather than the normal three days) at one of the L1 courses.

Climb with Marmot and CAMP/Cassin athlete Fabrizio Zangrilli and special guest Luigi Bastiani, and learn special techniques required on steeper ice, thin ice, hollow ice and no ice. By end of day students should have refined techniques on more difficult ice.

Limited to 8 participants

Steep Ice for the Weak and Chickenhearted with Don Mellor – $145 -CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

Join Matt and Matt as they teach you techniques for moving efficiently on frozen water (advanced level). The two Matt’s are some of the best ice climbers in the northeast, but more importantly, excellent and enthusiastic teachers.

Limited to 8 participants

Snowshoe Mountaineering with Carl Heilman – $95 CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

If you are an avid mountaineer or backcountry skier, having the skills to assess avalanche terrain and make the right decisions is a must. This course provides the approved curriculum of the American Avalanche Association and National Ski Patrol, for Introduction to Avalanche Safety and Rescue. It is scheduled for Saturday all day. If this class fills we will offer another one-day course on Sunday.

This course teaches you how the terrain, weather, and snowpack affect the stability of the slopes you’re going to ski, ride, and/or climb. The emphasis will be on recognizing the terrain and conditions for stability and travel techniques to identify safer routes. Other important aspects of traveling in the backcountry that will be discussed are the use of avalanche rescue equipment and companion rescue.

Climbers and skiers, if you want hands on training with avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes, you should sign up for a half day of rescue practice (Sun. or Mon., $45 fee). If you take Saturday’s course the additional fee is only $15. You can bring your own equipment, or there will be equipment available for you to use. We’ll spend the half day outdoors learning how to use the tools and practicing the basic skills for companion rescue.

People who complete this classroom session and Monday’s field work would be able to obtain an L1 certification by attending the two weekend days of training (rather than the normal three days) at one of the L1 courses.

Avalanche Field Work Half-Day – $45 ($15 for those who took Saturday’s or Sunday’s avalanche course)

Climbers and skiers, if you want hands on training with avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes, you should sign up for this half-day of rescue practice. If you take Saturday’s course the additional fee is only $15. You can bring your own equipment, or there will be equipment available for you to use. We’ll spend the half-day outdoors learning how to use the tools and practicing the basic skills for companion rescue.

MONDAY

Beginning Ice with Jim Pitarresi – $145 – CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

Due to popular demand, we have decided to hold another Beginning Ice clinic on Monday. Course same as Saturday & Sunday (limit 8 participants).

Avalanche Field Work Half-Day – $45 ($15 for those who took Saturday’s avalanche course)

Climbers and skiers, if you want hands on training with avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes, you should sign up for this half-day of rescue practice. If you take Saturday’s course the additional fee is only $15. You can bring your own equipment, or there will be equipment available for you to use. We’ll spend the half-day outdoors learning how to use the tools and practicing the basic skills for companion rescue.